BLUE&WHITE /Mullinabreena GAA Newsletter AUTUMN 2020 Times

Achonry Farmers’ Market New ‘Achonry Farmers’ Special Issue… Market’ Opens New Market Feature The brand new Achonry Farmers’ COVID-19 Guidelines Market officially launched on Market Business Profiles August 15th last. It all kicked off in Market Testimonials great style and continues to evolve Hospice Donation, Committee and grow week on week. + Upcoming Events Taking place each Saturday from 10am to 1pm at Nace O’Dowd Park, Achonry, the market idea is a culmination of many months of research and Market Proceeds preparation. A dedicated committee was formed Proceeds from the market go back into and tasked with developing the idea with a number upgrading and improving every aspect of the of key objectives in mind. Originally designed as a market itself. Proceeds are also used for the fundraiser for Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA to help upkeep and on-going development of Nace support the Park facility in a difficult year, it has O’Dowd Park. evolved organically and now encompasses a wide range of benefits. Volunteer Thanks We are now supporting over 20 small, local businesses each Saturday. Many of these We wish to extend a massive thanks to the are brand new start-up businesses stemming from the early 2020 lockdown. The large cohort of volunteers who give of their market is developing into a really nice, safe weekly event in a comfortable, outdoor time each Friday and Saturday to set up and environment. A lovely family friendly, community vibe abounds each Saturday. In run the market in a very smooth fashion. a year which is proving very difficult for everybody, our new community market is Without your loyal dedication, we would not proving a rare chink of light and positivity. be in a position to operate such a venture The key benefits are that we can all support local businesses in a sustainable way each week. at a market environment that also serves as a meaningful social hub for the people of the area.

Covid-19 Guidelines Each week we adhere to strict guidelines regarding Covid-19. We have hand sanitisers in place along with contact tracing sign-in for all attendees. All traders and volunteers wear face coverings and we strongly encourage all visitors to the market to do likewise. Social distancing is strictly requested and displayed through specific market signage. We are all in this together and must do everything to look Market Benefits: after each other. #staysafe Supporting Sustainable Creating a Proceeds Local Business & Eco Friendly Social Hub Stay Local MARKET BUSINESS PROFILES

Reggie’s Veggies A&S Aromas man Reggie McNulty and “We are Anthea & Sarah, we daughter Siobhan are one of the key own A&S Aromas. We make anchor stalls at our market since we 100% Soy wax candles & wax started. Reggie says: “We source most melts along with car diffusers and of our veg locally and our fruit would reed diffusers. Our products are be seasonal Irish fruit whilst all of our vegan, biodegradable & non-toxic. other fruit would be grade 1 loose fruit. We both had a lot of time off work Our out of season veg would be grade during Covid and found the time 1 imported. We purchase with the to write our business plan and customer quality and value in mind”. began work at our kitchen table Siobhan loves the short spin to Achonry and here we are, 3 months later, working from each week to meet and serve all the our workshop in and bringing our products to the Achonry market”. regular customers. “Along with our beautiful candles, wax melts and diffusers we will have a sample of Sarah’s baking on offer at our stall. Sarah is a professional baker by From The trade brings some croissants, cookie bars, sourdough & cinnamon rolls to the Ground Up table at The N17 Farmers’ Market Achonry”. Jenny French-Malone hosts this busy stall where ‘sustainability’ Pyne’s Preserves is the main focus providing When the fire of a welsh dragon eco-friendly plastic free/organic met the breath-taking views of the products. ’s first ever refill Ox Mountains in Coolaney, Pyne’s station with a range of eco-friendly preserves was founded in May 2017 self-care and cleaning products. by Andrew and Caroline Pyne. “Refill is the new recycle”. “We also have Organic fed chickens and Bringing the first range of chilli jams. ducks that are reared on chemical Followed with banana jam that has free weed killer, free artificial been reviewed on 2FM’s Dermot and fertilizer free grass pastures and Dave’s show and cranberry jams. supplemented with organic feed These jams are not just for putting on to produce delicious eggs”. toast they are very versatile and can be used in sandwiches through to chocolate cakes. Great new recipes are Taylor’s Sweet being added to the range all the time. Treats Rory and Meet Alison Taylor and her daughters Rachel & Amanda who Alaister Price have been home-baking for years Rory Price, aged just 14, is one of and have now decided to share it the stars of our market so far. The with you all. They are proving one of original entry in our Junior Entrepreneur the biggest hits at our market since category, Rory has shown an amazing we opened with an amazing array ability, beyond his years, in woodcraft. of delicious treats of all sorts. They He is extremely busy taking orders can also cater for gluten and dairy intolerances for his top-quality Garden furniture, in their baking as this is something they are already accustomed to! Themes planters, Chicken Coops etc. Not alone and Event cakes are also not a problem to these ladies! that, but you can purchase Chickens, Ducks and even the ‘Just hatched’ Eileen’s Kitchen variety. Eileen Kirrane, from nearby , has three passions of cooking, teaching, and creating quick and easy recipes, all leading Star Crest Seafood to the creation of Eileen’s Kitchen Table – One of the most popular stalls Catering, Courses & Cookbooks. A reputation each week has to be the amazing which has built up through catering at local fresh fish offerings from Star Crest events, has brought Eileen to share her craft Seafood of Donegal. Tom has built through setting up her own home catering up a very steady line of weekly company which caters for functions of all customers who collect their sizes. Her breads, scones, doughnuts and Mussels, Prawns, Bass, Monkfish more are amongst the top items in demand at to name just a few. All healthy the market each week. The Saturday morning portions and really good value. video previews are a huge hit.

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Sandra’s Cards Damien Moran & Crafts Artwork Local man Damien Moran has Sandra Ganley from Mayo brings her been an artist for over 30 years. unique range of hand made cards for His work covers a variety of all events or occasions. She also offers mediums such as airbrush, hand other various crafts and is building a lettering and street murals and steady regular custom. You can order more recently antiqued signage. online with Sandra and collect at the His work can be customised market any Saturday. which makes for unique gifts or wall features. Damien is proving really popular no only supplying our traders with unique signs but also building business through bespoke orders. Sarah Gilroy- An Chearnóg Restaurant Preisker Colm Óg O’Donnell is proprietor of An Chearnóg Restaurant, located above The lovely Sarah, from Streedagh, The O’C Bar on Wolfe Tone Square, joined us from the start with a Tubbercurry. Colm was delighted to join us fantastic collection of canvas at the Achonry market in early October. Colm landscape paintings featuring says “We have heard excellent reports about a host of Sligo scenes. The this market and the wonderful community Knocknashee paintings are proving and organisation behind it, and are very a real hit with market goers. excited to offer a selection of our ready- made dishes to go. Call to our stand any Saturday to sample or purchase some AMCE of our homemade soups, curries, treats and much more”. The local Achonry Mullinabreena Forever Living Community Enhancement group are with us each week with a Products great mix of second-hand books, Local lady Myra O’Dowd has plants, Knocknashee T-shirts and established a really good following more. The Market committee offer in supplying the full range of Forever this stand complimentary to the Living Products at the market. The local group in the interests of Aloe Vera products along with a our community groups working range of health and personal care together. products are becoming really popular on the market circuit and it’s great to see it flourishing here. Konny Chamberlain Ballagh Farm Konny travels a short two Cheese kilometres to the market each week The finest array of Cheese & Olives with a really diverse array of crafts. supplied by John & Sue McMillan Mostly wood products and lots of from Ballagh Farm Shop. This really items wonderfully reimagined from popular stall supplies a wide range Driftwood and various bits and of cheeses including Allenwood, pieces. Great gift ideas. Mexicana, Boilíe Log, Kileen Farmhouse Goats Cheese and lots Bow So Sweet more. Who knew there were so Bow So Sweet is a small many Cheese lovers out there?! family business run by local lady Tina Kirrane. It specialises in beautiful hairbows made using a range of high- Pat’s Pillows quality fabrics. All bows are Pat Sheridan from Ballina is a handmade with the love and regular market visitor and offers care your little ones deserve. a range of items including Bows come in a variety of pillows, photo frames, diaries sizes to suit all budgets. “We and much more. also stock the sweetest baby vests which can be personalised and ready for you to collect the following week”. Tina continues to add to her stall with various family frames and more.

BLUE&WHITETimes Achonry Farmers’ Market SPECIAL AUTUMN 2020 3 MARKET BUSINESS PROFILES

Elsie’s Kidzone Crafts Wild White One for the children. Easy art packs Bear & Co for kids and onsite art lessons under George Snacky of Wild guidance of a teacher. It gives an White Bear & Co has opportunity for the littlies to keep joined us recently at creatively busy at the market. They Achonry Farmers’ Market. can do an art activity on site, at the George is a highly skilled market or buy an activity pack to take wicker basket maker home. Activity packs ranges from €2 using classical and modern design and innovative techniques to €5. The activities are suitable for and methods. They are ideal for market shopping or as gifts. children aged 3-10 years or so. Matthew Lawlor Val Robus / Magnum Lady’s Blog, Another in our Junior entrepreneur category, Matthew aged 16 and living MANY THANKS TO in Boyle, is a gifted baker offering a wide REGULAR MARKET range of delicious Apple Tarts, Brownies, VISITOR VAL ROBUS Scones etc. We are thrilled to support FROM COOLANEY who the initiative of these energetic and has contributed a number ambitious youngsters. of very positive blog pieces through her personal page, Magnum Lady and Sligo Hub to greatly assist our Tea’s Little Corner continuing promotional drive. Tea and Jason from Frenchpark add to our growing Arts & Crafts section “Saturday mornings were made for farmers markets. Just some with a lovely array of individual resin of the goodies from Achonry Farmers’ Market – including Pyne’s tables and candles along with a host Preserves, Taylor’s Sweet Treats, From the Ground Up, Eileen’s of amazing household craft ideas. Kitchen Table and Reggie’s Veggies”.

Old Fair Day Committee Thank You Achonry Farmers’ Market – The Market committee express our sincere gratitude to The Tubbercurry Hospice Donation Old Fair Day Committee and Paul Walsh for all their kind assistance with the loan of their steel stall frames and canopies. Without these, we would have ACHONRY FARMERS’ MARKET COMMITTEE were delighted to been unable to begin our new market venture. We are currently seeking € present Bernie Gilroy of NW Hospice with a cheque for 2100 as grant aid in order to purchase our own infrastructure for long term use. proceeds from our Hospice Coffee Morning on Sept. 26th last at our market. We are all acutely aware of the crucial services provided New & Unused Items Stall by the Hospice locally and are happy to contribute our bit from our The ‘New & Unused’ Items Stall is proving a real hit each week. All community in a difficult year for fundraising. Thanks so much once proceeds from this stall are used for market improvements. Donations of again to everybody who donated so generously on the day. items are greatly appreciated. Contact any committee member for details. Turf for Sale The Market Committee also offers bags of turf for sale at the excellent price of €3 per bag. Turf can be donated as part of this fundraiser by contacting any committee member. Delivery is also available within the local area.

Market Committee The market committee is a subcommittee of Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA L-R: David Hosey, Noel Johnston, Club. Please don’t hesitate to contact any of our Market committee members Bernie Gilroy (NW Hospice), Lucia Johnston & Ollie Lee if you have any queries regarding becoming a stall holder. We would also like to hear from anybody who wishes to volunteer their service for duties on any given Saturday.

Christmas Market Eugene Henry  087 244 7098  [email protected] We are busy planning for Christmas Markets 2020. It’s David Hosey  087 267 0883  [email protected] all Covid-19 dependent of course, but we already have Anne Gorman  087 228 1122  [email protected] a host of extra craft stall holders ready to join us. Watch our Noel Johnston  087 250 2471  [email protected] Facebook page for more plans and updates over the coming weeks. Santa may even make a ‘Socially Distanced’ visit! Ollie Lee  087 7981827  [email protected] JDK Design

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